9 April 1942: The Attack on the British naval base at Trincomalee:
At
0600, Nagumo's Striking Force launches 132 aircraft, led by Cdr Fuchida, to
attack the British naval base at Trincomalee, Ceylon (91 B5N2 attack planes [18
from AKAGI, 18 from SORYU and 18 from HIRYU, 19 from SHOKAKU and 18 from
ZUIKAKU] and 41 A6M2 fighters [6 from AKAGI, 9 from SORYU, 6 from HIRYU, 10
from SHOKAKU and 10 from ZUIKAKU]).
The Japanese find the harbor almost empty of warships, but sink the
9,066-ton British merchant SAGAING with a "Walrus" amphibian and three crated
Fairey "Albacore" aircraft she was carrying, and damage old 15-inch gun monitor
HMS EREBUS. The non-operational Dutch light cruiser SUMATRA is hit by a 800-kg
dud. Outside the harbor, the southbound 4,784-ton Greek MARIONGA D. THERMIOTIS
is damaged by strafing and seven men are wounded.
An E8N2 floatplane from HARUNA locates an enemy carrier 65 miles south of
the base at 0755. Between 0843 and 0853, the Striking Force launches 85 D3A1s,
(18 from SORYU, 18 from HIRYU and 18 from SHOKAKU, 17 from AKAGI and 14 from
ZUIKAKU), escorted by 9 A6M2s (3 each from AKAGI, SORYU, HIRYU), which sink the
light carrier HMS HERMES. 306 RN personnel are KIA, but hospital ship HMHS
VITA, en route from Trincomalee to Colombo, arrives and picks up over 600
survivors.
Nagumo's aircraft also find and sink Australian destroyer HMAS VAMPIRE,
corvette HMS HOLLYHOCK, oilers ATHELSTANE and BRITISH SERGEANT and the
Norwegian merchant ship NORVIKEN.
During the day, nine of the RAF No. 11 Squadron's Bristol "Blenheim"
bombers attack AKAGI and TONE, but score no hits and lose five four of their
number to Nagumo's Combat Air Patrol A6M2s; another is lost during the return
flight when they encounter three fighters from HIRYU returning from the attack
on HERMES. BatDiv 3 and the Striking Force continue heading SE.
10 April 1942:
About midnight, the fleet changes course to the NE.
During the next 36 hours, BatDiv 3 and the Striking Force gradually bear
southwards again and pass through the Andaman Sea entering the Straits of
Malacca.
13 April 1942:
By nightfall, the fleet passes Singapore and enters the
South China Sea, bound for Japan.
14 April 1942:
CarDiv 5 is detached from the Striking Force for
refueling at Mako with HAGIKAZE and MAIKAZE.
18 April 1942: The First Bombing of Japan:
Vice Admiral Halsey's
Task Force 16.2's USS HORNET (CV-8), VINCENNES (CA-44), NASHVILLE (CL-43), oiler
CIMARRON (AO-22) and destroyers GWIN (DD-433), MEREDITH (DD-434), GRAYSON
(DD-435) and MONSSEN (DD-436) accompanied by Task Force 16.1's ENTERPRISE
(CV-6), SALT LAKE CITY (CA-25), NORTHAMPTON (CA-28), oiler SABINE (AO-25) and
destroyers BALCH (DD-363), BENHAM (DD-397), ELLET (DD-398) and FANNING (DD-385)
approach the Japanese home islands. The carriers and cruisers come to within 668
miles of Japan.
Led by Lt Col (later General/MOH) James H. Doolittle, 16 Army B-25
"Mitchell" twin-engine bombers of the 17th Bomb Group take off from Captain
(later Admiral) Marc A. Mitscher's carrier HORNET and strike targets in Tokyo,
Yokohama, Osaka, Nagoya and Kobe. At Yokosuka, a B-25 damages carrier RYUHO in a
drydock while undergoing conversion from former submarine depot ship TAIGEI.
TONE and CHIKUMA depart Mako with the Striking Force in an unsuccessful
pursuit of of Halsey's ships.
25 April 1942:
Arrives at Maizuru. Refit and drydocked.
3 May 1942:
Undocked.
16 May 1942:
TONE and CHIKUMA depart Maizuru.
18 May 1942:
Arrives at Hashirajima.
27 May 1942: Operation "MI" - The Battle
of Midway:
Departs Hashirajima with Vice Admiral (later Admiral,
posthumously) Nagumo's Carrier Striking Force: CarDivs 1 and 2, Rear Admiral
(later Vice Admiral) Abe Hiroaki's (former CO of FUSO) Support Group's
BatDiv 3/2's HARUNA and KIRISHIMA, Abe's CruDiv 8, Rear Admiral (later Vice
Admiral) Kimura Susumu's (former CO of NAGATO) DesRon 10's light cruiser NAGARA
with DesDiv 4's NOWAKI, ARASHIO, HAGIKAZE and MAIKAZE, DesDiv 10's KAZAGUMO,
YUGUMO and MAKIGUMO, DesDiv 17's URAKAZE, ISOKAZE, TANIKAZE and HAMAKAZE.
4 June 1942:
Between 0435-0500, CruDiv 8's TONE and CHIKUMA each
launch two E13A1 Jake long-range reconnaissance floatplanes to search out 300
miles for American carriers from NNE thru S.
TONE and CHIKUMA also each launch one E8N2 floatplane on ASW patrol.
Each cruiser holds another "Dave" for later use on another ASW mission.
At 0728, TONE's E13A1 No. 4 discovers the enemy ships, which later
materialize as a carrier group. The observer does not identify the
carriers at the outset, which proves to be a crucial mistake.
TONE is attacked by enemy carrier aircraft but sustains no damage. During
the battle, TONE's E8N2 No. 3 is lost with her crew.
6 June 1942: Operation "AL" - The Invasion of the Aleutian Islands:
TONE and CHIKUMA are ordered to support Vice Admiral Hosogawa Boshiro's (former
CO of MUTSU) Fifth Fleet for the Aleutians invasion. CruDiv 8 joins BatDiv 3/1,
carrier ZUIHO, seaplane carrier KAMIKAWA MARU escorted by DesDiv 4's MAIKAZE,
HAGIKAZE and NOWAKI that are also detached to join Rear Admiral (later Vice
Admiral) Kakuta Kakuji's (former CO of YAMASHIRO) Second Mobile Force. An
anticipated American counter-attack fails to materialize. CruDiv 8 cruises
northern waters uneventfully.
24 June 1942:
Arrives at Ominato.
28 June July 1942:
CruDiv 8 departs Ominato.
12 July 1942:
Arrives at Hashirajima.
14 July 1942:
Captain (later Rear Admiral) Kobe Yuji (45)(former CO of
YAKUMO) is appointed the CO. Captain Okada is reassigned as the CO of carrier
JUNYO. Rear Admiral (promoted Vice Admiral 1 November) Hara Chuichi is appointed
the ComCruDiv 8, replacing Rear Admiral Abe, who is reassigned as the ComBatDiv
11.
15 July 1942:
Departs Hashirajima.
16 July 1942:
Arrives at Maizuru for repairs.
6 August 1942:
Departs Maizuru for Kure.
7 August 1942:
Arrives at Kure.
16 August 1942: Operation "KA" - The Reinforcement of Guadalcanal:
At 1800 CruDiv 8's TONE and CHIKUMA depart Hashirajima with Nagumo's Third Fleet,
Carrier Strike Force, Main Body's CarDiv 1's SHOKAKU and ZUIKAKU and CarDiv 2's
RYUJO, light cruiser NAGARA and ten destroyers.
20 August 1942:
A planned refueling at Truk is canceled by Admiral
Yamamoto. The task force refuels at sea from oilers en route towards Guadalcanal.
Nagumo's Carrier Strike Force and CruDiv 8's TONE and the CHIKUMA join
Kondo's Second Fleet: Rear Admiral (later Vice Admiral) Abe Hiroaki's (former
CO of FUSO) Vanguard Force's BatDiv 11's HIEI and KIRISHIMA, CruDiv 4's ATAGO,
TAKAO, CHOKAI and MAYA, the Support Force's CHITOSE, CruDiv 5's MYOKO and
HAGURO, Desron 10's NAGARA and DesDiv 4's HATSUKAZE, MAIKAZE, NOWAKI, DesDiv
10's AKIGUMO, KAZAGUMO, MAKIGUMO and YUGUMO, DesDiv 16's AMATSUKAZE,
TOKITSUKAZE, DesDiv 17's TANIKAZE and DesDiv 61's AKIZUKI.
24 August 1942: The
Battle of the Eastern Solomons:
The Carrier Strike Force, Mobile
Force, Main Body's CarDiv 1, BatDiv 11, CruDiv 8's CHIKUMA and DesRon 10 cruises
NE of Guadalcanal. CruDiv 7's KUMANO, SUZUYA and MOGAMI arrive from Burma and
join the Main Body.
At 0400, Rear Admiral Hara's TONE, light carrier RYUJO and DesDiv 16's
AMATSUKAZE and TOKITSUKAZE are detached from the Main Body.
At 0935, a Consolidated PBY "Catalina" seaplane spots RYUJO. RYUJO is
located and attacked unsuccessfully by two TBFs at 1428 and 1440 by two SBDs
from Task Force 16's USS ENTERPRISE (CV-6).
At 1100, TONE and CHIKUMA of the Vanguard Force launch seven floatplanes
on a late morning search for American ships.
At 1400, CHIKUMA's Aichi E13A1 No. 2 discovers the American task force,
but is shot down by USN fighters. Its report and subsequent messages sent by
HIEI's F1M2 Pete as
well as CHIKUMA's No. 5 floatplane are not picked up by the leader of carrier
bomber group.
At 1430, a CHIKUMA floatplane reports the location of Rear Admiral (later
Admiral) Thomas C. Kinkaid's (former CO of INDIANAPOLIS, CA-35) Task Force 16
(ENTERPRISE (CV-6). At 1445, CarDiv 1 launches an air attack against Task Group
16. At 1550, RYUJO is located, attacked and sunk by five TBFs and 21 SBDs from
Task Group 11's USS SARATOGA (CV-3). TONE is attacked unsuccessfully by two TBFs
whose Mark 13 torpedoes miss the cruiser.
At 1600, CarDiv 1 launches a second strike against Task Group 16, but
it fails to locate the ENTERPRISE group. At 1642, ENTERPRISE is attacked by
CarDiv 1's first strike. She is hit by three bombs and her wooden flight deck is
set afire, but she evades further damage at 24 knots.
5 September 1942:
Arrives at Truk.
9 September 1942:
Sorties from Truk with the Carrier Strike Force and
Rear Admiral Abe's Vanguard Force to an area N of the Solomon Islands.
23 September 1942:
Arrives at Truk.
11 October 1942:
CruDiv 8's CHIKUMA and TONE sortie from Truk with
Abe's Vanguard Force's BatDiv 11's HIEI and the KIRISHIMA, CruDiv 7's SUZUYA,
DesRon 10's light cruiser NAGARA and DesDiv 10's AKIGUMO, MAKIGUMO, KAZEGUMO,
YUGUMO and DesDiv 17's ISOKAZE, TANIKAZE and URAKAZE to an area N of Solomon
Islands. Kondo's Second Fleet, Advance Force also sorties from Truk: CruDiv 5's
MYOKO, CruDiv 7's TAKAO, ATAGO and the MAYA, Rear Admiral (later Vice Admiral)
Tanaka Raizo's (former CO of KONGO) DesRon 2's light cruiser ISUZU with
destroyers KAWAKAZE, MAKINAMI, SUZUKAZE, TAKANAMI, UMIKAZE and NAGANAMI and Vice
Admiral Kurita's Second Fleet, Close Support Force's BatDiv 3's KONGO and
HARUNA, destroyers HARUSAME, KAGERO, MURASAME, SAMIDARE, OYASHIO and YUDACHI.
The Second Fleet is followed by Nagumo's Third Fleet, Carrier Strike Force. The
fleets take up position in an area N of the Solomon Islands.
17-18 October 1942:
The fleet refuels at sea.
19 October 1942:
TONE in company with destroyer TERUZUKI is detached
to scout for American ships. Both ships operate off the Santa Cruz Islands until
a Kawanishi H6K "Emily" from Jaluit sights a carrier off the New Hebrides.
Apparently satisfied that there is to be no surprise attack from an unsuspected
direction, Vice Admiral Nagumo recalls the TONE.
26 October 1942: The
Battle of Santa Cruz:
250 miles NE of Guadalcanal. At 0415, Rear
Admiral Abe's Vanguard Force catapults off seven floatplanes to scout south of
the island.
At 0445, 13 Nakajima B5N2 attack planes take off from CarDiv 1's decks,
followed at 0500 by floatplanes of the Advanced Force. One of TONE floatplanes
locates the HORNET (CV-8) group.
The Carrier Strike Force launches attacks against ENTERPRISE (CV-6) and
HORNET (CV-8). TONE's four floatplanes provide spotting duties over the American
ships. Two are lost during the battle. The Strike Force's planes sinks HORNET,
damage SOUTH DAKOTA (BB-57) and SAN JUAN (CL-54).
30 October 1942:
The Second and Third Fleets return to Truk.
9 November 1942:
Vice Admiral Kondo departs Truk for Ontong Java area
with his Main Body: CruDiv 4's ATAGO (F) and TAKAO, Air Striking Unit's carrier
JUNYO and her screen's BatDiv 3's KONGO and HARUNA, CruDiv 8's TONE, DesRon 3's
light cruiser SENDAI, DesDiv 19's URANAMI, SHIKINAMI and AYANAMI and DesDiv 11's
HATSUYUKI and SHIRAYUKI.
The Main Body also includes Vice Admiral Abe's Bombardment Unit's BatDiv
11's HIEI and KIRISHIMA accompanied by Rear Admiral Kimura Susumu's Close
Screen's DesRon 10's light cruiser NAGARA, DesDiv 6's IKAZUCHI, INAZUMA and
AKATSUKI, DesDiv 16's AMATSUKAZE and YUKIKAZE, DesDiv 61's TERUZUKI and Rear
Admiral Takama Tamotsu's (former CO of HARUNA) Sweeping Unit's DesRon 4's
ASAGUMO, DesDiv 2's YUDACHI, MURASAME, HARUSUME and SAMIDARE.
The Main Body supports air attacks on USS ENTERPRISE (CV-6) south of
Guadalcanal; however, the strike force fails to locate the American carrier.
10 November 1942:
BatDiv 11 and DesDiv 27's SHIGURE, SHIRATSUYU and
YUGURE depart Shortland's anchorage to execute Vice Admiral Kondo's planned
landing of 14,500 men, heavy weapons and supplies on Guadalcanal. The twelve
destroyers of Rear Admiral Tanaka's DesRon 2 will escort an 11-ship high-speed
reinforcement convoy.
13 November 1942: The First Naval Battle of Guadalcanal:
The Eastern
Reconnaissance Unit's TONE, light cruiser SENDAI and destroyer AYANAMI's mission
is to reach the waters E of Tanaka's convoy. TONE floatplanes search the area S
of Guadalcanal but find nothing.
18 November 1942:
TONE arrives at Truk. Remains there for the next
two months. Performs routine patrol duties.
19 January 1943:
Departs Truk for Jaluit, Marshall Islands.
7 February 1943:
Arrives back at Truk.
15 February 1943:
Departs Truk for Japan in company of the escort
carriers JUNYO and CHUYO, BatDiv 3's battleships KONGO and HARUNA, seaplane
tender NISSHIN and heavy cruiser CHOKAI, escorted by six destroyers. After
encountering heavy seas JUNYO and two destroyers are ordered back to Truk.
21 February 1943:
Arrives at Maizuru for a refit. Two additional
25-mm twin AA guns are installed and a Type 21 air-search radar is fitted.
15 March 1943:
Rear Admiral (later Vice Admiral) Kishi Fukuji
(former CO of FUSO) is appointed the ComCruDiv 8.
16 March 1943:
Departs Maizuru for Kure.
20 March 1943:
Arrives at Saeki.
22 March 1943:
Joins CHIKUMA at Saeki, then departs for Truk.
27 March 1943:
Arrives at Truk.
11 May 1943: American Operation "Landcrab" - The Invasion of Attu,
Aleutians:
Rear Admiral Kinkaid's Task Force 16, covered by Rear Admiral
Francis W. Rockwell's (former Co of THATCHER, DD-162) Task Force 51, lands
elements of the Army's 4th and 7th Infantry Divisions under the command of Maj
Gen Eugene M. Landrum at Holtz Bay and Massacre Bay that later capture the
island.
17 May 1943:
CruDiv 8's TONE and CHIKUMA depart Truk for Yokosuka in
response to the invasion of Attu with BatDiv 1's MUSASHI, Bat Div 3's KONGO and
HARUNA, CarDiv 2's HIYO, DesDiv 24's UMIKAZE and DesDiv 27's ARIAKE and SHIGURE,
DesDiv 61's HATSUZUKI and SUZUTSUKI. MUSASHI carries Admiral Yamamoto's ashes to
Tokyo for a state funeral.
20 May 1943:
Alerted by an "Ultra" message, USS SAWFISH (SS-276)
picks up the task force on radar, but is unable to attack.
22 May 1943:
USS TRIGGER (SS-237) sight the task force off Tokyo Bay,
but is unable to attack. The task force arrives at Yokosuka.
30 May 1943:
Departs Yokosuka for Hashirajima.
1 June 1943:
Training in the Inland Sea. [3]
8 July 1943:
At Shinagawa. Embarks army troops and supplies.
9 July 1943:
CruDiv 8's TONE and CHIKUMA depart Shinagawa with a task
force: CarDiv 1's SHOKAKU, ZUIKAKU and ZUIHO, cruiser MOGAMI, light cruisers
AGANO and OYODO, DesRon 4, DesDiv 4's ARASHI and HAGIKAZE, DesDiv 17's ISOKAZE,
DesDiv 61's HATSUZUKI and SUZUTSUKI and destroyer TAMANAMI.
11 July 1943:
The task force is sighted by USS STURGEON (SS-187) and
SEARAVEN (SS-196), but neither submarine is able to attack.
15 July 1943:
The task force is sighted by USS TINOSA (SS-283). ZUIHO
is attacked unsuccessfully. Four torpedoes miss. Also spotted by USS POGY
(SS-266), but the submarine is unable to attack. The task force makes port at
Truk unharmed.
19 July 1943:
Departs Truk on a troop transport run with the CHIKUMA,
MOGAMI, seaplane tender NISSHIN, light cruisers OYODO and AGANO, DesDiv 4's
ARASHI, HAGIKAZE and ISOKAZE, DesDiv 61's HATSUZUKI and SUZUTSUKI.
21 July 1943:
Arrives at Rabaul. Disembarks troops.
24 July 1943:
Departs Rabaul with CHIKUMA, MOGAMI, OYODO and AGANO
and DesDiv 61.
26 July 1943:
Arrives at Truk.
18 September 1943:
At Truk. The fleet sorties to Brown Island,
Eniwetok in response to raids on Tarawa, Makin and Abemama Atolls launched by
Rear Admiral Charles A. Pownall's (former CO of RANGER, CV-4) Task Force 15's
carriers LEXINGTON (CV-16), PRINCETON (CVL-23) and BELLEAU WOOD (CVL-24).
Vice Admiral Ozawa Jizaburo (former CO of HARUNA), in tactical command,
leads the fleet's first section's BatDiv 1's YAMATO and NAGATO, CarDiv 1's
SHOKAKU and ZUIKAKU (followed by ZUIHO on 19 September), CruDiv 5's MYOKO and
the HAGURO, CruDiv 7's MOGAMI, CruDiv 8's CHIKUMA and TONE, light cruisers AGANO
and NOSHIRO and destroyers.
Vice Admiral Kurita leads the second section with his Advance Force:
CruDiv 4's ATAGO, TAKAO, MAYA and CHOKAI.
Admiral (Fleet Admiral, posthumously) Koga Mineichi, CinC, Combined Fleet,
remains at Truk in the fleet's flagship MUSASHI with BatDiv 2's FUSO and BatDiv
3's KONGO and HARUNA.
25 September 1943:
No contact is made with Task Force 15. The fleet
arrives back at Truk.
5-6 October 1943:
Rear Admiral (later Vice Admiral) Alfred E.
Montgomery's (former CO of RANGER, CV-4) Task Force 14's carriers ESSEX (CV-9),
YORKTOWN (CV-10), LEXINGTON (CV-16), INDEPENDENCE (CV-22), BELLEAU WOOD (CVL-24)
and COWPENS (CVL-25) launch raids on Wake Island and the Marshall Islands.
17 October 1943:
The Japanese intercept radio traffic that suggests
the Americans are planning another raid on Wake. CruDiv 8's CHIKUMA and the TONE
sortie from Truk to Brown Atoll, Eniwetok to intercept the enemy task force with
Admiral Koga's BatDiv 1's YAMATO, MUSASHI and NAGATO, BatDiv 2's FUSO, BatDiv
3's KONGO and HARUNA, CarDiv 1's SHOKAKU, ZUIKAKU and ZUIHO, CruDiv 4's ATAGO,
TAKAO, MAYA and CHOKAI, CruDiv 7's SUZUYA and MOGAMI, light cruisers AGANO and
OYODO and many destroyers.
20 October 1943:
Arrives at Brown Island, Eniwetok.
23 October 1943:
Departs Brown and sorties to a position 250 miles S
of Wake. Returns after no contact is made with enemy forces.
26 October 1943:
The fleet arrives back at Truk.
31 October 1943:
TONE departs Truk with BatDiv 2's ISE, YAMASHIRO,
CarDiv 2's JUNYO, escort carrier UNYO, DesDiv 7's AKEBONO, DesDiv 17's
TANIKAZE, DesDiv 24's UMIKAZE and SUZUKAZE. Reportedly, TONE leaves all her
floatplanes at Truk before departing.
5 November 1943:
The task group is attacked by USS HALIBUT (SS-232)
near Bungo Suido. YAMASHIRO is hit by a dud torpedo, but JUNYO is damaged
and has to be towed to Kure.
6 November 1943:
Arrives at Kure Navy Yard. Begins a refit. The
forward 25-mm twin AA mounts are replaced by four triple mounts, bringing the
total number of 25-mm guns to 20 (4 x 3 and 4 x 2).
1 December 1943:
Captain Mayuzumi Haruo (47)(former CO of AKITSUSHIMA)
is appointed the CO.
4 December 1943:
Captain Mayuzumi arrives aboard TONE to assume the
command of the cruiser.
14 December 1943:
The refit is completed. Commences working up in
Inland Sea.
23 December 1943: Operation BO-2-GO ("BO No. 2"):
TONE and CruDiv 5
(MYOKO and HAGURO) depart Kure for a fast supply run to Kavieng via Truk. TONE
is carrying 525 IJA troops and 175 tons of cargo including ammunition, water
purification plants and 555 bamboo poles.
29 December 1943:
Arrives at Truk. Embarks three Daihatsu barges and
their crews.
1 January 1944:
CruDiv 8 is disbanded. TONE and CHIKUMA are assigned
to Rear Admiral (later Vice Admiral) Nishimura Shoji's (former CO of HARUNA)
CruDiv 7 with KUMANO and SUZUYA. For the duration of the Operation "Bo No. 2",
both TONE and CHIKUMA take orders from ComCruDiv 5, Rear Admiral Hashimoto
Shintaro aboard MYOKO.
2 January 1944:
At 1250 departs Truk for Kavieng in company of MYOKO
and HAGURO, escorted by DesDiv 32's FUJINAMI and DesDiv 27's SHIRATSUYU. TONE
is carrying two floatplanes. At 1650 her lookouts observe an enemy submarine
at 06-40N, 151-15E.
4 January 1944:
Early in the morning arrives at Kavieng, transfers
troops and their equipment to Daihatsu barges, then departs for Truk at 30 kts.
5 January 1944:
At 0742 another submarine is sighted off Truk. At
1650 arrives at Truk.
7 January 1944:
Inspected by Rear Admiral Nishimura Shoji, ComCruDiv
7.
8 January 1944:
Transferred to anchorage No. 3 to embark provisions.
10 January 1944:
Conducts towing exercises with tanker FUJISAN MARU,
later refuels, receiving 1,490 tons of fuel.
16 January 1944:
Conducts gunnery exercises off Truk.
26 January 1944:
Conducts nightly gunnery exercises off Truk, using
starshells.
1 February 1944: The Evacuation of Truk:
NAGATO departs Truk for Palau
with a task group: battleship FUSO, CruDiv 7's SUZUYA, KUMANO and TONE, DesDiv
17's ISOKAZE, TANIKAZE, HAMAKAZE and URAKAZE and DesDiv 61's AKIZUKI. At 1000,
USS PERMIT (SS-178) sights the task group leaving Truk, but is unable to
attack.
4 February 1944:
Arrives at Palau.
16 February 1944:
Departs Palau with the task group in anticipation of an
air raid. An enemy submarine is sighted at 08-00N, 131-00E.
17 February 1944:
Another enemy submarine is sighted at 05-30N, 125-40E.
20 February 1944:
South China Sea. N of Singapore. After sunset, USS
PUFFER (SS-268) sights the 10-ship NAGATO task group, but is unable to attack.
The task group sights an enemy submarine, probably PUFFER, at 04-16N, 108-40
E.
21 February 1944:
Arrives at Lingga (near Singapore). Participates in
battle exercises thereafter.
27 February 1944:
Departs Lingga with CHIKUMA, AOBA and destroyer URANAMI.
1 March 1944: Operation SA-1-GO ("SA No. 1")
Arrives at Banka, then
departs for commerce raiding in the Indian Ocean.
9 March 1944:
TONE sinks British freighter SS BEHAR. She takes aboard
108 captives, but four die.
15 March 1944:
Arrives at at Batavia. Disembarks 32 POWs.
18 March 1944:
Departs Batavia. Aboard AOBA en route to Singapore,
ComCruDiv 16, Rear Admiral Sakonjo Naomasa (former CO of SETTSU)
orders the remaining 72 captives beheaded. [4]
20 March 1944:
Arrives at Singapore. Rear Admiral (later Vice
Admiral) Shiraishi Kazutaka's (former CO of KIRISHIMA) assumes command of CruDiv
7.
1 April 1944:
Departs Singapore with CHIKUMA for Sumbawa and Tengah
Islands carrying materials for the 601st NAG that is readying to embark on
CarDiv 1's ships.
4 April 1944:
Arrives at Singapore.
5 April 1944:
Arrives at Lingga.
11 May 1944:
At 0300, the Mobile Fleet (except CarDiv 1, CruDiv 5 and
DesRon 10) redeploys from Lingga.
12-13 May 1944:
At sea. Fleet deployment, firing practice.
14 May 1944:
Arrives at the old American anchorage at Tawi Tawi in the
Sulu Sea.
15 May 1944:
Departs Tawi Tawi for Tarakan, Borneo to refuel.
17 May 1944:
Arrives back at Tawi Tawi.
8 June 1944:
At Tawi Tawi. YAMATO refuels TONE. MUSASHI refuels
CHIKUMA.
10 June 1944: Operation "KON" - The Relief of Biak:
Vice Admiral
Ugaki's KON task group is detached from the fleet with BatDiv 1's YAMATO and
MUSASHI, DesRon 2's light cruiser NOSHIRO and destroyers OKINAMI and SHIMAKAZE.
The KON task group departs Tawi Tawi for Batjan.
13 June 1944: Operation "A-GO" - The
Battle of the Philippine Sea:
In Tokyo, the CinC, Combined
Fleet, Admiral Toyoda Soemu, (former CO of HYUGA), sends out a signal that
activates the A-GO plan for the Defense of the Marianas.
The Mobile Fleet departs Tawi Tawi for Guimaras near Panay, Philippines with
Force "B"'s NAGATO, CarDiv 2's JUNYO, HIYO and RYUHO, cruiser MOGAMI and eight
destroyers. Force "B" sorties with Force "A"'s CarDiv 1's TAIHO, SHOKAKU and
ZUIKAKU, DesRon 10's light cruiser YAHAGI and seven destroyers.
At 1000, on station nearby, LtCdr Marshall H. Austin's USS REDFIN (SS-272)
sights and reports the Mobile Fleet departing the anchorage.
14 June 1944:
Guimaras, Philippines. Vice Admiral Ozawa's Mobile Fleet's
Main Body arrives and the 2nd Supply Force's oilers GENYO and AZUSA MARUs begin
refueling operations.
15 June 1944:
Guimaras. At 0800, refueling is completed and the Mobile
Fleet's Main Body departs through the Visayan Sea. At 1622, LtCdr Robert
Risser's USS FLYING FISH (SS-229) sights the Mobile Fleet in the San Bernardino
Strait.
16 June 1944:
At 1650, Vice Admiral Ugaki's aborted Operation KON task
force from Batjan rejoins Ozawa's force. The 1st Supply Force's oilers HAYUSUI
and NICHIEI, KOKUYO and SEIYO MARUs rendezvous with Vice Admiral Ozawa
Jisaburo's (former CO of HARUNA) First Mobile Fleet's Main Body. The 1st Supply
Force begins to refuel the Mobile Fleet.
17 June 1944:
KOKUYO refuels CruDiv 7's TONE and SUZUYA. By 2000,
refueling of the First Mobile Fleet's Main Body is completed. At this time, the
First Mobile Fleet is at 12-15N, 132-45E. The oilers depart the area for a
designated standby point at 14-40N, 134-20E.
That same day, LtCdr (later Rear Admiral) Herman J. Kossler in USS
CAVALLA (SS-244) sights the Mobile Fleet in the Philippine Sea and reports it
later that evening.
18 June 1944:
At 2100, Ozawa splits his Mobile Fleet. Forces "A" and
"B" proceed southward. Force "C" proceeds due east in the Philippine Sea towards
Saipan.
19 June 1944:
At 1030, Ozawa launches a strike against Task Force 58,
but his aircraft are unable to locate the TF, so most return to Guam.
20 June 1944:
At about 2030, carrier HIYO explodes and sinks two hours
after she is hit by torpedoes by Grumman TBF "Avenger" torpedo planes from USS
BELLEAU WOOD (CVL-24). That night, the Mobile Fleet retires to Nakagusuku Bay,
Okinawa.
22 June 1944:
At Okinawa. Battleships refuel destroyers.
23 June 1944:
The Mobile Fleet departs Nakagusuku for Hashirajima.
24 June 1944:
Arrives at Hashirajima.
26 June-8 July 1944:
In drydock at Kure. Four 25-mm triple mounts are
added, two abreast the bridge and two on the quarterdeck, replacing the existing
twin mounts. Single mount 25-mm guns are also installed, bringing the TONE's
total 25-mm AA suite to 57 barrels (8x3, 4x2, 25x1). New antennas are installed
for the two Type 22 surface-search radars and a Type 13 air-search radar is fitted.
8-10 July 1944:
CruDiv 7's TONE, CHIKUMA, KUMANO and SUZUYA depart
Kure with Group "B"'s battleships KONGO and NAGATO, cruiser MOGAMI, DesRon 10's
light cruiser YAHAGI with DesDiv 17's URAKAZE, ISOKAZE, HAMAKAZE and the
YUKIKAZE and Group "A"'s YAMATO and MUSASHI, CruDiv 4's ATAGO, TAKAO, MAYA and
CHOKAI, DesRon 2's light cruiser NOSHIRO with DesDiv 27's AKISHIMO and HAYASHIO,
DesDiv 31's KISHINAMI, OKINAMI and ASASHIMO, DesDiv 32's FUJINAMI, HAMANAMI and
SHIMAKAZE, DesDiv 17's HAMAKAZE, DesDiv 27's SHIGURE and SAMIDARE. Carries
Imperial Army troops and material to Nakagusuku Bay.
12 July 1944:
Group "B" departs Okinawa.
14 July 1944:
In heavy seas, destroyer SAMIDARE loses visual contact
with the rest of the force. TONE is briefly detached to locate her. Arrives at
Manila later that day.
17 July 1944:
Departs Manila.
19 July 1944:
Arrives at Singapore, then to Lingga.
22 September 1944:
Lingga anchorage. TONE receives fresh provisions
from stores ship KITAKAMI MARU.
1 October 1944:
Lingga anchorage. TONE receives fresh provisions
from stores ship KITAKAMI MARU.
5 October 1944:
Lingga anchorage. TONE receives fresh provisions
from KITAKAMI MARU.
18-20 October 1944:
Departs Lingga with the fleet for Brunei, Borneo.
22 October 1944: Operation "SHO-I-GO"(Victory) -
The Battle of Leyte Gulf:
Vice Admiral Kurita Takao's (former CO of
KONGO) First Mobile Striking Force (Center Force) sorties from Brunei. Vice
Admiral Shiraishi's CruDiv 7's TONE, CHIKUMA, KUMANO and SUZUYA are in Force
"A"'s Second Section with BatDiv 3's KONGO and HARUNA, DesRon 10's light cruiser
YAHAGI and destroyers NOWAKI, URAKAZE, YUKIKAZE, HAMAKAZE and ISOKAZE. The
Second Section follows Force "A"'s First Section BatDiv 1's YAMATO, MUSASHI and
NAGATO, CruDiv 4's ATAGO, TAKAO, MAYA and CHOKAI, CruDiv 5's MYOKO and HAGURO,
DesRon 2's flagship light cruiser NOSHIRO and DesDiv 2's HAYASHIMO, AKISHIMO,
KIYOSHIMO, DesDiv 31's KISHINAMI, OKINAMI, ASASHIMO and DesDiv 32's FUJINAMI,
NAGANAMI, HAMANAMI and destroyer SHIMAKAZE.
23 October 1944:
The Battle of the Palawan Passage:
At 0633, Force A is attacked by
Cdr (later Captain) David McClintock's USS DARTER (SS-227) and LtCdr (later
Captain) Bladen Clagett's USS DACE (SS-247). Vice Admiral Kurita's flagship
ATAGO and MAYA are sunk and TAKAO damaged. Kurita is picked up by destroyer
KISHINAMI, but it is not until 1623 that he transfers to YAMATO and resumes
command of Force "A" from Vice Admiral Ugaki. TONE embarks some survivors from
ATAGO.
24 October 1944: The Battle of the Sibuyan
Sea:
Tablas Strait. After 1024, TONE and CHIKUMA both launch their
two remaining floatplanes, heading for San Jose, Mindoro Island.
Force "A" endures eleven raids by over 250 Task Force 38 carrier
aircraft from USS ESSEX (CV-9), LEXINGTON (CV-16), INTREPID (CV-11), CABOT,
(CVL-28), FRANKLIN (CV-13), ENTERPRISE (CV-6). Battleship MUSASHI is sunk,
bombs hit YAMATO and NAGATO.
At 1445, after the fourth attack, the CO of TONE contacts Vice Admiral
Suzuki Yoshio, leading the Second Section, suggesting to concentrate the entire
unit around the heavily damaged MUSASHI to provide additional AA support for
her. At 1507 Admiral Suzuki detaches TONE to defend MUSASHI against torpedo
bomber attacks. Captain Mayuzumi places his cruiser two kilometers N of the
battleship.
At 1517, TONE is attacked by dive-bombers and receives two near misses,
off the port bow and starboard amidships. At 1518 she receives a small
caliber bomb hit, causing a minor fire in the CO's at-sea cabin and the
12.7-cm mount No. 1 shell supply room. Another "400-lb" bomb penetrates upper
deck above the boiler room No. 2 and is stopped by the middle deck without
exploding.
At 1525 TONE is temporarily placed under the command of MUSASHI's CO.
At 1530 hours, Force "A" reverses course back through the Sibuyan Sea.
At 1715 hours, Kurita again reverses course. At 1832 TONE receives the order to
rejoin Force "A". At 2330, Force "A" enters the San Bernadino Strait in a single
file.
25 October 1944: The Battle off
Samar:
At 0030, Force "A" exits the San Bernardino Strait and proceeds
towards Leyte Gulf.
At 0644, Force "A"'s lookouts spot four enemy destroyers, and shortly
thereafter three carriers, three cruisers and two more destroyers at a range of
23 miles bearing 60 degrees to port. At 0647 the lookouts on TONE report the
sighting of enemy destroyers 14 miles to port, bearing 65.
At 0658 Force "A" opens fire at the "jeep" escort carriers of "Taffy 3":
USS ST. LO (CVE-63), WHITE PLAINS (CVE-66), KALININ BAY (CVE-68), FANSHAW BAY
(CVE-70) (F), KITKUN BAY (CVE-71) and GAMBIER BAY (CVE-73). "Taffy 3"'s
carriers are screened by destroyers HOEL (DD-533), JOHNSTON (DD-557), HEERMANN
(DD-532) and destroyer escorts JOHN C. BUTLER (DE-339), RAYMOND (DE-341),
DENNIS (DE-405) and SAMUEL B. ROBERTS (DE-413).
After 0713 TONE fires 18 8-in rounds at the attacking JOHNSTON. At 0722
she is attacked by four torpedo bombers and makes an emergency turn to port. At
0730 CHIKUMA and TONE change course to SSE to engage the fleeing carriers. At
0745 TONE again weathers a torpedo bomber attack. At 0754 she is attacked by a
single aircraft, identified as a dive-bomber and gets separated from CHIKUMA. At
0758 TONE engages a destroyer, targeting it with eight 8-in rounds.
At 0806 an INDEPENDENCE class carrier is sighted to starboard, but another
torpedo bomber attack spoils Captain Mayuzumi's aim; 32 8-in rounds are fired.
Between 0818 and 0832 TONE targets a "RANGER class" carrier (USS GAMBIER BAY),
firing 90 main caliber rounds; several hits are observed. At 0829 she is
attacked by several F4F "Wildcat" fighters, making repeated strafing attacks.
One NCO is killed, Captain Mayuzumi and several sailors wounded.
At 0833, TONE again targets the crippled carrier, firing 24 main gun rounds.
The fire is checked after the target develops a heavy list. At 0838 TONE targets a
heavily camouflaged "cruiser" on her starboard side, firing 20 rounds and
repeatedly straddling her target. At 0845 four torpedoes are launched at another
"cruiser".
At 0853, the lookouts on TONE witness the torpedo hit crippling CHIKUMA.
Two minutes later TONE, now leading HAGURO, engages another carrier on her
starboard beam and fires 28 rounds, claiming one direct hit.
Between 1030 and 1320, CHOKAI, CHIKUMA and SUZUYA are disabled by battle
damage and subsequently lost. TONE fires a total of 408 main battery rounds
during the battle.
At 1249 Kurita's retiring force is attacked by carrier aircraft. TONE is
attacked by four dive-bombers and receives one hit to starboard aft, opening a
large hole in the hull and disabling her steering. Her speed is temporarily
limited to 15 kts. At 1330 TONE, now using manual steering, is again attacked
by dive-bombers, receiving a "250-kg" bomb hit (a dud). Six minutes later she
weathers a torpedo bomber attack without receiving any damage. By 1341 TONE can
make 30 knots again. An air attack at 1406 results in a near miss off her port
quarter.
26 October 1944:
Aircraft attack Force "A" in the Tablas Strait off
Panay Island. TONE is not further damaged.
27 October 1944:
No attacks.
28 October 1944:
The remnants of Force "A" arrive at Brunei Bay, Borneo
and refuel.
6 November 1944:
Carrier JUNYO and light cruiser KISO, escorted by DesDiv
30's YUZUKI and UZUKI arrive at Brunei from Sasebo with ammunition resupply for
Kurita's force.
8 November 1944:
TONE, JUNYO, ASHIGARA, KISO and DesDiv 30 depart Brunei
towards Pratas Islands (near the Formosa Strait) following BatDiv 1's YAMATO,
NAGATO, BatDiv 3's KONGO and HARUNA, light cruiser YAHAGI and DesDiv 17's four
destroyers. TONE, JUNYO, KISO and DesDiv 30 are detached to Manila. The
remainder of the YAMATO group returns to Brunei. TONE, JUNYO, DesDiv 30 and
destroyer SHIGURE depart Manila the same day for Mako, Pescadores.
12 November 1944:
At 1132, USS GUNNEL (SS-253) sights the upper works
of a ship bearing 240°(T), range 31, 000 yards at 17-13 N, 116-26 E. GUNNEL
tracks the target with her high periscope. At 1256, the JUNYO group is on course
020°(T), making 19 knots. GUNNEL identifies one ship as a TONE-class cruiser,
but misidentifies JUNYO as a "YAMATO-class battleship". The seas pick up to
condition 3 from ahead. The JUNYO group draws away from the pursuing submarine
at 19 knots on base course 028°(T). GUNNEL, at 17 knots maximum speed, cannot
close.
At 1600, GUNNEL loses sight of the targets at 35,000 yards in a rain
squall. At 2130, GUNNEL gives up the chase. The JUNYO group arrives at Mako
later that night.
13 November 1944:
JUNYO, TONE, DesDiv 30 and destroyer SHIGURE depart
Mako for Kure.
14 November 1944:
East China Sea. USS JALLAO (SS-368) attacks JUNYO
but misses with six bow torpedoes.
15 November 1944:
East China Sea. JUNYO is attacked unsuccessfully by
USS BARB (SS-220). She misses with five torpedoes. JUNYO is chased
unsuccessfully by BARB, QUEENFISH (SS-393), PETO (SS-265), and SUNFISH (SS-281).
Near Kure, TONE is detached with SHIGURE.
16 November 1944:
Near Sasebo. TONE is detached from SHIGURE.
17 November 1944:
Arrives at Maizuru. Drydocked. Four 25-mm triple
mounts are installed aft, removing seven single mounts and bringing TONE's
total 25-mm AA suite to 62 barrels (12x3, 4x2, 18x1). Her Type 21 radar is
replaced with a Type 22.
21 November 1944:
CruDiv 7 is disbanded. TONE is assigned to the
Second Fleet's CruDiv 5 with KUMANO.
1 January 1945:
Redesignated as a training vessel. Reassigned to Kure
Training Flotilla with IWATE, IZUMO and YAKUMO.
6 January 1945:
Captain Okada Yusaku (47)(former CO of IWATE) is
appointed the CO.
18 February 1945:
Repairs are completed. Departs Maizuru for Kure.
20 February 1945:
Arrives at Kure. Moored in Tsukumo Bight off
Etajima Island. Her crew is substantially reduced.
19 March 1945:
Vice Admiral (later Admiral) Marc A. Mitscher's
(former CO of HORNET, CV-8) Task Force 58 raids Kure. TONE, caught in the
middle of Kure Bay, receives one direct hit, jamming her No. 3 turret in train,
and several near misses. Following the attack she is towed to a new location
in a cove off Nomi Jima (now Nomi Shima) Island and partially camouflaged.
24 July 1945:The
Final Destruction of the Imperial Japanese Navy:
TONE is attacked by
aircraft of Vice Admiral (later Admiral) John S. McCain's (former CO of
RANGER) TF 38 from USS SHANGRI-LA (CV-38), COWPENS (CVL-25) and MONTEREY
(CVL-26). TONE receives three direct hits and several near misses.
28 July 1945:
After 1000 TONE is attacked by aircraft from USS BATAAN
(CVL-29), TICONDEROGA (CV-14) and MONTEREY (CVL-26). Her AA gunners put up a
steady volume of heavy flak which is rapidly reduced after the first bomb hits.
TONE receives two direct hits to port side (one of them a 1,000-lb aft) and six
near misses. Near misses cause serious flooding and TONE develops a 21-degree
list to port. After additional damage control parties arrive from ashore,
counterflooding manages to reduce the list, but the flooding cannot be stopped.
A second strike against TONE is launched that afternoon from USS ESSEX
(CV-9), BATAAN, MONTEREY and RANDOLPH (CV-15), but redirected against targets
of opportunity in the Inland Sea after a report is received that TONE had been
sunk.
29 July 1945:
Settles on the bottom in shallow water.
20 November 1945:
Removed from the Navy List.
29 November 1945:
Inspected by the personnel of US Naval Technical
Mission for topside damage.
2-9 December 1945:
Inspected by divers.
7 April 1947:
Harima Shipyard starts the removal of superstructure
and turrets.
4 May 1948:
The hull is refloated.
30 September 1948:
The scrapping of the hull is completed.
Authors' Notes:
[1] Mt. Niitaka, located in Formosa (now Taiwan), was then
the highest point in the Japanese Empire.
[2] A post-strike analysis by Nagumo's staff credited KAGA's dive bombers
with five hits, SORYU's with three and HIRYU's with one direct hit.
[3] Confusingly enough one of the reports compiled by the US Naval
Technical Mission to Japan ("Reports of Damage to Japanese Warships" Fascicle
S-1, Target S-06, Article 1, p. 51) suggests that in June 1943 TONE was hit by
a submarine torpedo and then repaired at Kure in "about six months". Such attack
is not mentioned in "The Official Chronology of the US Navy in World War II" by
Robert J. Cressman or any of the Japanese reports.
[4] Postwar in Hong Kong, Sakonjo was executed as a war criminal by the
British.
Thanks for assistance in researching the IJN officers mentioned in this
TROM go to Mr. Jean-François Masson of Canada. Special thanks and credit goes to
Andrew Obluski of Poland for providing details concerning TONE's floatplane
operations during her wartime career. Thanks also go to Aldert Gritter ("Adm.
Gurita") of the Netherlands and Randy Stone of the United States and to John
Whitman of the USA for info on CNO intercepts of Japanese messages.
Thanks also go to Gilbert Casse for info in Revision 15 and Don Kehn,
Jr of Texas for aircraft info in Rev 18. Thanks also go to the late John
Whitman and to Gengoro Toda of Japan for info about stores ship KITAKAMI MARU.
- Bob Hackett and Sander Kingsepp.
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